Abstract

A Mechanical Earth Model (MEM) provides a quantitative framework for characterizing in-situ stress conditions and rock mechanical behavior across defined stratigraphic intervals within a basin or field. Geomechanics workflows are used to build wellbore-centric MEM through determination of rock mechanical properties, overburden stress, pore pressure, stress directions and magnitude of horizontal stresses etc. (Zoback, 2007). These models are widely used to tackle drilling difficulties, achieve better borehole condition, and reduce Non-Production Time (NPT). It also plays pivotal role in understanding and managing subsurface uncertainties during field management and development. Study area from the Upper Assam basin faces grave challenges as far as drilling is concerned. Drilling issues viz. shear failure, wellbore collapse, stuck pipe incidents, tight holes are observed very often even leads to the situation of sidetracking for one of the instances. Due to poor borehole conditions, the acquired log datasets are also not of proper quality and hence constrains further analysis. All the above leads to significant loss of time and resources. In this study geomechanical analysis comprising four (04) wells viz. W-1, W-2, W-3 and W-4 have been deployed to determine the crucial aspects to reduce drilling complications in terms of mud design, well trajectory & casing design. Further, for effective management of field, sand management analysis has been carried out in the selected interval. The analysis enabled optimized well planning, reduced drilling risk, and improved completion and production strategies.